Tina Brown has become a notorious figure in Florida’s criminal history. Her story is both shocking and tragic, drawing national attention as the only woman currently living on Florida's death row. In this article, we examine the life and crime of Tina Brown Florida residents have come to know—and the lasting impact of her case.
Tina Brown is a Pensacola woman now serving a death sentence for her role in the brutal murder of Audreanna Zimmerman in 2010. Born and raised in challenging circumstances, Brown’s early life was marked by hardship. Court records show she experienced violence, abuse, and poverty, which shaped much of her adulthood.
Brown and her daughter, Britnee Miller, along with neighbor Heather Lee, lived in a mobile home park in Pensacola, Florida. Their relationships were turbulent and often erupted into conflict. The situation escalated quickly, setting the stage for one of the most heinous crimes in the state’s recent history.
On March 24, 2010, Tina Brown, her daughter, and their neighbor Heather Lee attacked 19-year-old Audreanna Zimmerman. Initially lured under the pretense of repairing a friendship, Zimmerman was ambushed. She endured repeated attacks with a stun gun, gagged, beaten, and stuffed into the trunk of a car. The attackers drove her to a secluded wooded area, where she was beaten further, doused with gasoline, and set on fire. Against incredible odds, Zimmerman managed to walk for help but ultimately died from her injuries two weeks later.
For an in-depth account of the investigation and chilling details, visit the Pensacola News Journal article on Tina Brown’s case.
Based on forensic evidence and Zimmerman’s last statements, Tina Brown and her accomplices were swiftly arrested. Brown was tried and found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder in 2012. The jury and judge agreed on the severity of her crime. Despite her attorneys highlighting her traumatic background and lack of violent history, the court deemed the crime too gruesome for leniency.
Tina Brown is currently housed at the Lowell Correctional Institution Annex in Gainesville, Florida. As of now, she is the only woman facing execution in the state. For additional insights into her life on death row and details about the sentencing, see the report by FOX 35 Orlando.
While Florida has sentenced fifteen women to death in its history, only two have ever been executed. Most female death row inmates either had their sentences commuted or died while serving their time. Tina Brown’s case stands out for its brutality and its rarity—she could become only the third woman executed by the state.
Other cases, such as Aileen Wuornos and Judias Goodyear Buenoano, have also gained national notoriety. Yet, Tina Brown Florida remains unique for the circumstances leading to her crime and the community ties between the victim and perpetrators.
Tina Brown continues to file appeals, challenging her conviction and the effectiveness of her legal counsel. Despite these efforts, courts have, so far, upheld her sentence. Her accomplices, Britnee Miller and Heather Lee, received life and 25-year sentences, respectively.
The Tina Brown Florida case has left a mark on both the residents of Pensacola and the state’s criminal justice system. It raises difficult questions about cycles of violence, the effectiveness of the death penalty, and how communities address underlying social issues. As long as Brown remains on death row, her story will remind Florida of the devastating consequences of crime and the complexities of justice.
Tina Brown’s case is a somber chapter in Florida’s legal history. As the only woman currently on death row, her story will be debated for years to come. To learn more about the specifics of her conviction and the details that make her case extraordinary, review the full coverage at the Pensacola News Journal and FOX 35 Orlando.
Note: At this time, no images are available to include with this article.